Pipe benders will make pipe bending a whole lot easier!
A common adage among artists is that you are only as good as the equipment you work with. Whatever project you're working on, whether at home or in business, you'll need the necessary tools to get the job done right. And if your job requires you to work with pipes, you'll need a variety of instruments for cutting, fitting, and accuracy. One of the most powerful instruments you'll need is a pipe bender, one of the many tools you'll require. As the name implies, a pipe bender is a machine that bends pipes made of copper or steel to form or suit specified angles or curves.
WHAT IS A PIPE BENDER?
Pipe benders are extensively used in the plumbing industry to bend and shape a variety of pipes to fit several applications and fitting locations. It's available in various sizes to accommodate multiple pipe dimensions and materials, including copper and steel. Because not all pipe and tube benders can accept all pipes, knowing the outer diameter (mm or inch) of the line or tube you're working with is critical when purchasing or using a pipe bender.
The pipe bender is especially useful if you're working on an electrical or plumbing project, as these are the most general applications for these pipes. It's much less expensive and just as effective (if not more so) to bend the pipe. You already have to fit a precise angle with a pipe bender than it is to get a bespoke fit. It would be best if you kept a pipe bender on hand for any project that requires the usage of steel or copper pipes bent at specific angles. Refrigerator connections and bent tubes for motorcycles are two other projects that may necessitate the use of a pipe bender.
Pipe benders are tools used in the pipe bending or pipe bending process. Pipe bending does not necessitate pipe benders, but they can be extremely useful in terms of comfort and convenience. Because it is a permanent process, attempting to return the pipes to their former shape may break or be damaged, lowering their quality.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PIPE BENDERS?
Pipe benders come in various shapes and sizes, each with its function. The size of the pipes that these pipe benders work on is the most significant distinction between them. In this case, pipe bending is a talent that necessitates precision. This list would look at six pipe benders and rank them according to the pipe sizes they operate with.
Conduit Pipe Bender
Conduit pipe benders are for electrical purposes on pipework. Conduit pipes are the tiniest pipes to work with, so you'll need a tool that can manage the delicate nature of the job while still providing you with the precision you require. It's small and doesn't require a lot of force to bend the pipes because they're small, to begin with.
Mini Pipe Bender
Using the tiny pipe bender, you can bend the pipe up to 90 degrees. This pipe bender is small enough to fit in your pocket, but it won't bend pipes larger than 10mm in diameter. The pipes that come within this category are hydraulic pipes.
Èrgonomic Pipe Bender
This machine resembles a cross between a tiny pipe bender and a dual-pipe bender. It just has one former and can bend the pipes only so far. It gets its name from the curved rubber handles used on the handles. They are designed to assist the user in maintaining a firm grasp and bending without exerting excessive power. They turn pipes with a maximum diameter of 15mm and can bend up to 180 degrees.
Dual Pipe Bender
This pipe bender can bend much larger pipes than the tiny pipe bender. It is one of the most frequent pipe benders due to its versatility. It has two formers (the section where the pipe is laid to be bent) that are available in various sizes and may be altered to accommodate the size of the pipe being bent. The dual-pipe bender can bend pipes from 12mm to 22mm.
Freestanding Pipe Bender
This pipe bender is intended for use by specialists only. It bends steel and copper pipes with an outside diameter of 42mm and 35mm, respectively. They have two legs that allow them to stand on their own (thus the name) and will enable you to exert pressure with both hands when bending.
Ratchet Pipe Bender
Because it doesn't require any pulling power from the user, the ratchet pipe bender is ideal for those with limited bodily strength which need to bend thick or strong pipes. The force of the former hitting the pipe, on the other hand, might sometimes flatten it.
Because it does not have long handles, the ratchet pipe bender is the only pipe bender that can bend bigger sized piping, above 10mm (0.4′′), in tight areas. It's useful for work on the job site where the room is limited.
HOW DOES A PIPE BENDER WORK
The user of a pipe bender pulls the bender's handles to force the pipe around the former (shoe). The pipe is sandwiched between the former and the roller. So, when the operator presses the handles together, it forces the pipe to take the former's shape. To force it, you must apply pressure. But the pipe must keep the majority of its shape to keep it in good operating order.
The pipe bender will be larger or thicker than the pipe that needs to be bent. Longer handles allow for greater force to be applied to the pipe.
HOW TO USE PIPE BENDER TOOL
Here are some pipe bending suggestions to ensure that you have the necessary information and skills for any future bending jobs.
Study the Right Measuring Strategy
It is critical to establish the centre and use it as a reference point when measuring pipes to be bent. It will also assist in locating the exact pipe area to be bent and ensuring that the bending technique is carried out consistently.
Practice Pipe Bending
Begin by bending practise pipes and attempting to bend them at various angles. Pipe bending is meant to be quick and painless. Please make certain you understand how to bend them without becoming stressed or injuring yourself at work.
Avoid Tube Crimping
Crimping is frequent on lighter materials like aluminium. When such materials are bent, they tend to crimp. Fill it with water and sand to avoid this. Gently stir the sand about with a tapping motion. It will then create air bubbles, which will make pipe bending easier.
How to Use a Hydraulic Pipe Bender
Using a hydraulic pipe bender, you may precisely bend metal pipes to acute angles. Hydraulic pressure allows thick-walled pipes and conduits to be bent without wrinkling. High-pressure oil delivers a forceful but regulated thrust that correctly bends the pipe.
Compared to manual hydraulic pipe bending equipment, hydraulic bending machines offer more capability. To boost the bending force, they employ the hydraulic principle.
These machines have a unique hydraulic cylinder with the handle hooked to the hydraulic system's piston. The piston's other end is connected to one of the folding dies.
Hand or foot pedalling supplies the force for this machine, which is enhanced by hydraulic systems, resulting in faster pipe and tube bending. The user can bend huge diameter pipes with this machine.
HOW TO BEND EXHAUST PIPE WITHOUT PIPE BENDER
Ahoy! So you've got some pipe that needs to be bent but doesn't have access to a pipe bender. No trouble at all! We'll also teach you how to do it with some tools and a little imagination.
Tools For Bending Without a Pipe Bender
Bare Hands
If you only have a few resources and require a rough bend in your pipe, you can use your hands. Some people can bend tubes up to an inch thick, but anything wider than that will require special tools or assistance.
Wrap the ends of the pipe in something to give you extra grip and protect your hands before you bend it. One of the right materials for this sort of project is leather. Cut some into strips and wrap them over the bar's ends—other materials, such as thick cloth, will not produce the same leverage. Then, with the ends securely grasped, adopt the most comfortable bending position, such as an overhand hold with the bar straight out in front of you.
Blow Torch
The area you wish to bend is subjected to intense heat, making it bendable. You may use heat to bend pipes in various ways, as we'll show you here. A blow torch is one of the most frequent techniques for pipe bending without using a machine. Ensure to mark out where you want to turn before starting any technique. It's also a good way to create a bending template and use it to measure your pipe as you go. To make large-scale templates, most individuals use inexpensive hardwood materials like MDF.
Vice
Place your pipe in a vice to keep it from moving. Make sure there is enough room on both sides of the place you wish to bend to have a stronghold when turning. Apply consistent heat to the region you want to bend with your blow torch. Remember to heat the entire pipe area, not just one side, to help it blend uniformly.
Begin gently bending the pipe when it is red hot. Although thick gloves are recommended, you can do it with your hands because the line will be extremely hot. Use a wrench if you're having trouble getting leverage. Alternatively, make a lever out of another piece of pipe. If you're still having trouble bending it, enlist the assistance of another person. One person heats the pipe while the other bends, making things easier.
Bending Springs
Bending springs are basic gadgets that keep pipes from kinking when they're bent. Internal and exterior springs are the two types of springs available. After heating, an internal spring is placed into it. It keeps the pipe from collapsing by supporting it as it bends. External springs, too, support the tube from the outside. They round it and keep it from spreading out when it bends.
While springs are important for achieving a precise and equal bend, they are usually limited in size. Internal springs are utilised for bigger pipes, and external springs are used for smaller lines. If you're going to bend more than one pipe size, you'll need to acquire springs in multiple sizes.
Sand
Sand is an extremely useful material for achieving an even bend. Scrunched up newspaper or cloth can be used to block one end of the pipe. Fill the pipe with sand, making sure it is securely compressed. Heat the curve area after blocking the opposite end of the pipe. Carefully bend it by hand while it's red hot.
PIPE BENDER MAINTENANCE
- Store Indoors: Pipe benders are cast aluminium, making them corrosion resistant. But, like with any tool, keeping it inside will help it last longer.
- Lubricate It: When pipe benders are first purchased, they may be stiff or unyielding owing to lack of use. If your pipe bender has not been used in a while, the handles may stick when pulling, resulting in a crimped bend. Apply lubricant to the handle and roller joints to avoid this.
- Keep It In A Toolbox: If you use a lot of formers, a toolbox can help keep them organised and prevent them from becoming lost.
BUY PIPE BENDERS FROM HVAC SHOP
Pipe benders make the process easier and more convenient, and they're meant to assist you in bending your pipes to the correct angle. You'll only be able to bend a pipe by eyeballing it and guessing if you don't have a pipe bender. And if you underestimate the amount of pipe you'll need, it can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you have to buy extra pipes to re-do the pipes you bent too much and can't use for your project.
Pipe benders are a helpful tool for anyone who works in the construction industry, makes personal home improvements, or enjoys crafts. Pipe benders may be additional expenditure on your part, but they can pay for themselves in terms of accuracy, efficiency, ease, and convenience.
Buy quality pipe benders in Australia from HVAC Shop. We offer premium quality products from some of the best brands you know. Please don't hesitate to contact us today for more information.